Eclampsia: still a dreadful situation

ABSTRACT

To study the prevalence of eclampsia, its related maternal morbidity, mortality and perinatal outcome. Observational Study. This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Peoples Medical College Nawabshah from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009. All the patients admitted with eclampsia were included in this study and they were analyzed according to their age, parity, duration of gestation, timing of convulsions, mode of delivery, complications and feto-maternal outcome. 107 patients of eclampsia presented during the study period, giving a frequency of 2.43%. Mean age group involved was 15-24 years [47.7%] and 25 - 34 years [44.9%] while 7.5% were > 35 years. Majority of the patients belong to 15-24 years age group and found to be statistically significant [p-0.000]. Primi gravida [65%] were highly effected population. 57% [62] patients had fits in antenatal period while 9.3% [10] patients had intrapartum and 32% [35] patients had postpartum fits. Vaginal was the commonest mode of delivery 49 [45.5%]. Assisted vaginal delivery in 21 [19.6%], while cesarean section was performed in 37 [34.6%] patients. 39 [36.44%] maternal deaths occurred during study period, while 7 materanl deaths were attributed to eclampsia. Regarding the neonatal outcome, 64.5% [69] were born alive, 20.6% [22] were IUD and 15% [16] were dead during neonatal period mostly due to prematurity [75.7%].Eclampsia is a big challenge in obstetrics, it can lead to very high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. It is a 3rd commonest cause of maternal death in developing countries. Community health education coupled with availability of emergency obstetric and neonatal care service at doorstep would reduce the incidence of eclampsia and its associated morbidity and mortality in Pakistan